Truck mounted crane



Nov. 5, 1963 D. F. MATSON 3,109,541

TRUCK MOUNTED CRANE Filed Sept. 28, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Donald F. Maison BY a2 5,;

A fforneys Nov. 5, 1963 D. F. MATSON TRUCK MOUNTED CRANE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 28, 1960 INVENTOR. Donald F Maison Attorneys Nov. 5, 1963 D. F. MATSON TRUCK MOUNTED CRANE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 28, 1960 K Rb INVENTOR. Donald E Maison A florneys Nov. 5, 1963 D. F. MATSON 3,109,541

TRUCK MOUNTED CRANE Filed Sept. 28, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

Donald F. Maison Attorneys United States Patent 3,1tl,541 TRUCK MOUNTED CRANE Donald F. Matson, Burke, S. Dak. (1701 Cardinal Road, Urlando, Fla.) Filed Sept. 2%, 1960, Ser. No. 53,990 13 Claims. (Cl. 21235) This invention relates to a crane and more particularly to a crane for mounting on a wheeled vehicle of the truck type.

Although there are a number of truck mounted cranes on the market, such truck mounted cranes have not been particularly satisfactory for certain types of use as, for example, for farm use. There is, therefore, a definite need for a truck mounted crane which is relatively simple, light in weight, and which is available at a moderate cost.

In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide a truck mounted crane which is relatively simple in its construction and still provides adequate capacity for many types of use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck mounted crane of the above character which is light in weight and which can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck mounted crane which utilizes a large number of standard parts so that it can be manufactured at a moderate cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck mounted crane of the above character which utilizes a unique arrangement of many standard parts and a few specially fabricated parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck mounted crane of the above character which can be readily mounted adjacent the cab of the truck and which requires very little space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck mounted crane of the above character in which the crane can be stored in an out-of-the-way position on the truck.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck mounted crane of the above character in which the crane can be readily extended and retracted, and which has a relatively large slewing angle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck mounted crane of the above character which can be quickly mounted on the truck and which can be easily transferred from one truck to another.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck mounted crane of the above character which can be mounted on the truck to provide either right-hand or lefthand control.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck mounted crane of the above character in which a reversible hydraulic motor is utilized for slewing the boom, and in which a hydraulic cylinder is utilized for raising and lowering the boom about a horizontal axis.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck mounted crane of the above character in which the boom in its retracted position can be readily tied down to prevent bouncing of the same when the truck is moved.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck mounted crane of the above character in which the base for the crane is used for storage of hydraulic fluid.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment is set forth in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a crane incorporating my invention mounted upon a truck and shows the angle through which the boom can be raised and lowered.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of my truck mounted crane shown in FIGURE 1 and shows the angle through which the boom can be slewed.

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view of the truck mounted crane as shown in FIGURE 1 showing the boom in a stowed out-of-the-way position.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view, partially in cross section, showing how the end of the boom is secured to the truck to prevent bouncing of the boom during movement of the vehicle.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the truck mounted crane with certain portions broken away.

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.

IGURE 10 is an enlarged view, partially in cross-section, of the lower portion of my crane.

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate and final gear assemblies.

FIGURE 12 is a view, partially in cross-section, showing how the hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the boom is connected to the base of the pillar.

FIGURE 13 is a side elevational view of a portion of the crane and particularly shows the hydraulic piping and the general arrangement of the base.

FIGURE 14 is a side elevational view of the portion of the crane shown in FIGURE 13 looking towards the left in FIGURE 13.

In general, my crane is of a type which is particularly adapted to be mounted on a truck of the type having a pair of spaced frame members extending longitudinally of the truck and having a cab on the forward portions of the frame members. The crane consists of a base mounted on the frame members traversely of the frame members. A pillar rotatable about a vertical axis is rotatably mounted on the base. A pair of arms is fixed to the upper portion of the pillar and extends outwardly from the pillar. A boom assembly is pivotally mounted on the outer ends of the arms for movement about a horizontal axis. A hydraulic cylinder is provided for raising and lowering the boom assembly and is mounted in a particularly novel manner. A hydraulic motor is used for rotating the pillar through a plurality of gear assemblies arranged in a novel manner.

As shown particularly in the drawings, my crane 11 is particularly adapted to be mounted on a wheeled vehicle 12 of the truck type having front and rear ground engaging wheels 13 and 14 and a pair of frame members 16 extending longitudinally of the vehicle between the wheels 13 and 14 at right angles to the axes of the wheels. A bed 17 is mounted on the frame members 16 rearwardly of a cab 18 which is mounted on the forward portions of the frame members. The cab 18 serves to enclose the driving engine (not shown). The engine drives a drive shaft 19 which extends between the frame members 16 and serves to drive the rear wheels 14 of the vehicle.

As shown particularly in FIGURES 1 and 2, my crane 11 is mounted in a relatively narrow space 21 provided immediately behind the cab 13 of the vehicle and immediately ahead of the bed 17. This has the distinct advantage as pointed out hereinafter in that the crane 11 does not inhibit full utilization of the truck bed 17.

As shown particularly in the drawings, my crane consists of a base 26 which is mounted on the frame members 16 of the truck. A pillar assembly 2-7 is mounted on the base 26 and carries a boom assembly 28. Means 29 is provided for rotating the pillar assembly and the boom assembly mounted thereon about the vertical axis of the pillar assembly. Means 31 is also provided for raising and lowering the boom assembly about a horizontal axis.

The base 26 consists of a top plate 33 which is adapted to overlie the top portions of the frame members 36 of the truck. The top plate 33 is provided with an ex tended portion 33a which carries certain components of my crane as hereinafter described. This portion 33a extends outside of andbeyond one of the frame members l6 and, as shown in FIGURE 13, extends beyond the right-hand frame member 16. The base 26 is also formed of an I beam which has vertical side plates 3 and 36, and an intermediate horizontal plate 37. A lower horizontal plate 38 is secured to the side plates 34- and 36 by suitable means such as welding. A pair of gussets 39 is mounted between the top plate 33 and the intermediate plate 37 at substantially right angles to the walls or plates 34 and 36 and serve to provide a primary chamber or reservoir 491 for the storage of hydraulic fluid as hereinafter described. Additional gussets 42. are

' mounted between the intermediate plate or wall 37 and the top, intermediate and bottom plates 33, 37 and 38 by suitable means such as welding so that the chambers 41 and 43 are fluid tight. The cylindrical member 44 is provided with a cylindrical recess 46 on its upper end and a bore 47 which extends from the recess 46 through the lower end of the cylindrical member 44. The cylindrical member 44 serves as a pivot socket or pivot support as hereinafter described.

A lower support plate 51 is secured to the cylindrical member 44 by suitable means such as bolts 52. This lower support plate is also secured to the side plates 34 and 36 by a pair of bolts 53 which extend upwardly and are threaded into a cross bar 54 secured to the side walls 34 and 36. Spacers 56 serve to maintain the proper spac ing between the lower support plate 51 and the side walls 34 and '36. It will be noted, as shown particularly in FIGURES and 13, that the lower support plate is spaced a predetermined distance from the top plate 33 so that the top plate 33 can overlie the adjacent frame member 16 and the lower support plate can underlie the same frame member 16 so that the base 26 can be secured to the right-hand frame member as viewed in FIGURE 10 by a pair of bolts 57.

The other end of the base is adapted to be secured to the left-hand frame member viewed as shown in FIG- URE 13 by means of a lower plate 58 which is secured to the side members 34 and 36 by bolts 59 threaded into a bar 61 fixed to the side plates 34 and 36. Spacers 62 serve to provide the required spacing. Bolts 63 secure the lower plate 58 to the top plate 33 and firmly clamp the base to the frame of the vehicle.

The pillar assembly 27 consists of a pivot shaft 66 which is rotatably mounted in the cylindrical recess 46 and the bore 47 of the cylindrical member 44. The pivot shaft is provided with an enlarged cylindrical portion 66a which rests upon a thrust bearing 67 and rotates within a bushing d8 of a suitable material such as bronze. The pivot shaft 65 is secured to a pillar base 7-1 by suitable means such as bolts 72. A pillar 73' in the form of a substantially tubular member is secured to the pillar base 71 by suitable means such as welding and extends upwardly in a vertical direction from the pillar base. A portion of the pillar is cut away, as shown particularly in FIGURES 5, 6, 13 and 14, to provide an elongate slot 74 which is open at the top and which extends substan- 5 and 6, and extends outwardly and upwardly with respect to the pillar. The ends of the arms 81 are spaced apart and are provided with a horizontal pin 82 which serves as the horizontal axis for pivoting of the boom assembly 28. The arms 8-1 are reinforced by a plate 83 welded to the arms and to the pillar 73. The plate 83 provides additional rigidity.

The boom assembly 28 consists of a plurality of sections 84, 86, 87 and 88. It is, however, readily apparent that, if desired, a fewer number or greater number of sections may be utilized. Each of the sections is substantially tubular in form, with each succeeding section being of a smaller diameter so that the sections can be telescoped as shown in the drawings. The first section 84 is the section with the largest diameter and is provided with an end pivot member 91 which is pivotally mounted on the pin 8-2 provided in the arms 81. It will be noted that the pivot point provided by the pin 82 is spaced a substantial distance from pillar 73. The first section 84 is also provided with a pair of cars 92 which are pivotally connected by pin 93 to the piston rod 9 4 of the hydraulic cylinder 76. The outer end of the first section 84 is' provided with a collar or bushing which is mounted inside the section adjacent the outer end of the section as shown particularly in FIGURE 8. The first section 84 is also provided with a hole 85 which is imme diately behind the collar 95 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The second, third and fourth sections 86, 87 and 88 are similar with the exception that each succeeding section has an outside diameter which is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the preceding section. Each of the sections 86, 87 and 88 is provided with three collars 95, 96 and 97 with collar 95 on the inside of the section at the outer end of the section; with collar 96 on the outside of the section at the inner end of the section; and with collar 97 on the outside of the section between the inner end and midpoint of the section. Each of the second, third and fourth sections is provided with three holes 98, '99 and 101. Hole 98 is provided immediately behind the collar 97, whereas holes 99 and M1 are provided on the outer end of the section in relatively close proximity to each other. Quick disconnect pins 102 are provided for locking. the boom sections into retracted or extended positions.

Now assume that the boom assembly is in a completely retracted position, with three pins 102 in the boom in this retracted position and extending through the three holes which are exposed when the boom assembly is in this position. As will be noted from FEGURE 5, only the holes 101 are visible in the second, third and fourth sections when the boom assembly is in a retracted position. When it is desired to extend the boom assembly, the pin extending through the holes 85 in the first section 84 and the holes 101 in the second section is removed and the second,

third and fourth sections are pulled out until the collar 97 of the second section engages the collar 93 of the first section. A pin is then placed through the holes 85 and 99 to hold the boom assembly in this extended position. If it is desired to further extend the boom assembly, the pin is removed from the holes 101 of the second section and holes 99 of the third section, the third section is then extended until the collar 97 of the second section engages the collar 95 of the third section and is fixed in the extended position by placing a pin through the holes N1 of the second section and holes 93 of the third section. In the same manner, the fourth section can be extended and locked in the extended position if desired.

The fourth and last section 88 of the boom assembly is provided with a hook 103 which can be used for lifting loads as hereinafter described.

The means 29 for rotating the pillar assembly 27 and the boom assembly 28 consists of a final gear assembly 1116 which is driven by an intermediate gear assembly 167. The intermediate gear assembly is driven by primary gear assembly -2 which is driven by hydraulic motor 169. All three of the gear assemblies 166, 107 and 1118 are worm gear assemblies. The final gear assembly 1136 consists of Worm wheel or gear 111 which is fixed to the pivot shaft 66. The worm wheel 111 is driven by worm 112 mounted on a shaft 113. The gear 111 is housed within a housing 114 which is secured to the lower support plate 51 by the bolts 52. The housing 114 is provided with a cover plate 116. The housing 114 is also provided with an elliptical opening 117 which is adapted to receive the worm 112 and permit engagement of the worm with the gear 111. A housing 118 is provided for enclosing the worm 112 in the shaft 113 and is secured to the housing 114 by suitable means such as welding. It is provided with an opening which is in registration with the opening 117 in the housing 114.

An end cap 121 is threadably mounted in one end of the housing 113 and serves to rotatably carry one end of the shaft 113. The housing 113 is provided with an enlarged section 122 which rotatably carries the other end of the shaft 113 in an end member 123. An end cap 124 encloses the end of the section 122. A worm gear 126 is fixed to the shaft 113 and is driven by a worm 127 fixed to a shaft 128. The worm 127 is disposed within a cylindrical housing 121 which is provided with an opening (not shown) to permit engagement of the worm 127 with the worm gear 126. The housing 129 is secured to the housing 114 by suitable means such as welding. The shaft 128 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 13?. fixed in the housing 129 by suitable means such as bolts 133. The other end of the shaft 128 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 1341 also fixed to the housing by bolts 136. A cover plate 13% is mounted over the end of the housing 12% as shown particularly in FIGURE 10.

The shaft 123 extends upwardly at an inclined direction and is connected to another shaft 141 by coupling 142 provided with bolts 14-3 which extend through the shafts 128 and 141. This coupling presents ready assembly of the driving apparatus for the rotation of the pillar. The shaft 141 is provided with an enlarged portion 141a which extends through a hole 1 1 1 in the intermediate plate 37 and is rotatably mounted in a bearing 146. The bearing 146 is carried by the lower portion of a primary gear housing 147 which is provided with a cover plate 14-8. A worm gear 149 is fixed to the shaft 141. The worm gear 149 is driven by a worm 151 mounted on a shaft 152. The shaft 152 is rotatably mounted in a worm housing 153 in a manner similar to the worm on shaft 113. The shaft 152 is connected by a flexible coupling 154 to a shaft 155 which is driven by the hydraulic motor 1%. It will be noted that the primary gear housing 1118 and the hydraulic motor 1119 are mounted above the top plate 33.

The operation of the motor 1139 is controlled by a threeposition control valve 156 which is provided with an operating handle 157. The control valve 156 is connected to the pump by two hydraulic lines 153 and 159.

The means for raising and lowering the boom assembly consists of a three-position control valve 161) which is connected to the control valve 156 by a pipe 162. The valve 169 is provided with an operating handle 161 and is connected to a hydraulic pump 163 by hydraulic line 164. The pump 163 is connected to the primary and secondary reservoirs or chambers 41 and 43 provided in the base by piping 166. The valve 156 is connected to the reservoirs by return piping 167. The return line 167 is provided with a filler cap 168 so that additional hydraulic fluid can be added to the reservoir when required. The pump 163 is driven by a shaft 171 which is connected to a conventional power take-01f provided on the transmission of the vehicle.

Means is provided for snubbing the boom in a stored or out-of-the-way position as shown in FIGURE 3 and consists of a short length of chain 176 which is secured to the cross bar 53 and which is adapted to be engaged by the hook 103 carried by the outer end of the boom assembly.

Operation and use of my truck mounted crane may now be briefly described as follows.

Let it be assumed that the boom assembly is in a stored out-of-the way position as shown in FIGURE 3 with the boom snubbed to the frame by engagement of the hook 103 with the chain 176. When the boom assembly is snubbed in this manner, the boom cannot bounce up and down as the truck is driven over rough terrain.

Also, with the boom stowed in this position, it will be noted that the boom assembly is in a completely outof-the-way position as shown in FIGURE 3. The boom assembly is retracted so that it does not extend beyond the sides of the truck. In addition, it only utilizes a very small space 21 provided behind the cab of the vehicle so that the entire truck bed 17 can be utilized for hauling and other conventional uses. It is thus apparent that my crane does not interfere with the conventional use of the vehicle, and for that reason it can be left on the vehicle when the crane is not being used.

If it is now desired to utilize the crane for a lifting operation, the hook 163 is released from the chain 176. One or more pins 102 are then pulled out of the boom assembly depending upon how far it is desired to extend the boom assembly in a manner heretofore described. The boom after being extended to the desired position is locked in the desired position by reinserting the pins 162. As explained previously, pins 1112 are of a quick retractable type which are provided with self-locking means to prevent their accidental falling out.

After the boom assembly has been extended to the desired amount and locked in this position, the boom assembly can be raised or lowered to the desired position by the operating handle 161 of the valve 161) to cause fluid to be forced into line 165 and into the hydraulic cylinder 76 to cause raising of the boom assembly or to cause lowering of the boom assembly by permitting fluid to flow from the hydraulic cylinder 76 into the reservoirs.

The boom assembly can be rotated in either direction by operating the lever 157 which causes fluid to flow into the pump 1119 to cause operation of the primary, intermediate and final gear assemblies to cause rotation of the pillar 73 and the boom assembly carried by it. Movement of the operating handle 157 in one direction will cause rotation of the pillar 73 in one direction and movement of the operating handle 1157 in the opposite direction will cause rotation of the pillar 73 in the opposite direction.

The operation of the control valves 156 and 161i is well known to those skilled in the art. The control valves 156 and 1641 are of the spool type and when in the neutral position, oil flows from the pump 163 through the line 164, through the first valve 160, through the pipe 162, through the second valve 156, through the return line 167 to the reservoir. When the operating handle 161 of the first valve is moved in one direction, the flow of oil through the valve 160 is interrupted and the oil is forced into the line to cause extension of the hydraulic cylinder and raising of the boom assembly. When the valve 161 is returned to normal, the pressure in the line 165 is maintained so as to maintain the boom assembly in the position to which it has been raised. The oil from the pump 163 then continues to flow through the valve 1611. To lower the boom assembly, the operating handle 161 for the valve 166 is moved in the opposite direction which again closes off the flow of fluid through the valve and permits fluid to return from operation and use of the truck.

7 line 165 through the valve 1649, the valve 156 and through the return line 167.

The second valve 156 operates in the same manner. When the operating handle 157 is moved in one direction, oil is forced from the line 164 into one of the lines 158 or 159 and returned through the other line to cause rotation of the hydraulic motor M9 in one direction. When the operating handle is moved in the opposite direction, the flow of fluid is reversed to cause operation of the hydraulic motor in the opposite direc tion.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the boom assembly can readily be moved to any desired position by merely operating the control valves. As shown particularly'in FIGURES 1 and 2, the boom has a great range of movement. The boom can be moved downwardly approximately 40 from a horizontal position and can be moved upwardly. through approximately 53 from a horizontal position, giving a total of 93. The boom assembly can be slewed through approximately 280 commencing from the stowed position in which the boom is at right angles to the axis of the truck, through an angle so that the boom assembly extends over the front of the truck.

My crane has been constructed in such a manner that it can be readily mounted and dismounted from a truck. The crane can be removed by first removing cover plate 116 and then sector gear 111 from pivot shaft 66 which exposes the four bolts 52. These bolts are removed as well as bolt 143 and then the lower support plate 51, complete with gear assemblies 1% and 167, can be dropped away after removing the bolts 53 and 57. Likewise, bolts 63 and 59 are removed and shaft 171 is disconnected, and the base unit is raised out of the truck frame 16. To install the crane, the above operations are completed in the reverse order.

It is apparent from the foregoing that I have provided a new and improved truck mounted crane which is particularly useful for many types of operations. The crane is constructed in such a manner that it is relatively economical to manufacture. It is very compact and requires very little space and does not interfere with normal It is also constructed in such a manner that it can be readily placed on the truck for either a right-hand or left-hand control and removed when desired. Also because of the construction, it is readily apparent that the crane is of a type which can be readily modified to fit all types of trucks.

The hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the boom structure about a horizontal axis is mounted in such a manner on the pillar that it can be moved to a position wherein its axis is substantially in line with the vertical axis of the pillar. The gearing for the rotational movement of the pillar assembly is arranged in such a manner that it requires very little space. Storage for hydraulic fluid is provided in the base of the crane so that no additional storage tank is required.

I claim:

1. In a crane for mounting on a motorized vehicle of the type having a pair of longitudinal frame members and a power take-off, a base adapted to be mounted on the frame members, the base extending transversely of the frame members, the base being provided with top, bottom and side walls to provide an enclosed reservoir disposed generally between the frame members, a pillar support mounted in said base and extending through said reservoir, a pivot shaft rotatably mounted in said support and extending therethrough, a pillar fixed to said pivot shaft, a boom assembly, means for pivotally mounting the boom assembly on the pillar to permit swinging movement about a horizontal axis, means for rotating said pivot shaft to cause rotation of the pillar and the boom assembly carried thereby about a vertical axis, and means for raising and lowering the boom assembly about the horizontal axis, said last named means for rotatin the pivot shaft and said means for raising and lowering the boom assembly including a hydraulic pump connected to the power take-off, means connecting the pump to the reservoir in the base, and control valves for controlling the application of fluid from said pump to said means for rotating the pivot shaft and to said means for raising and lowering the boom assembly.

2. A crane as in claim 1 wherein said base includes a top plate extending over the top portions of the longitudinal frame members and forming the top wall of the reservoir, and means for releasably securing the top plate to the longitudinal frame members to. facilitate installation and removal of the crane, the top plate being relatively narrow in comparison to its length.

3. A crane as in claim 2 wherein said plate is provided with an extension which extends outside and beyond one of the frame members, and wherein said control valves re mounted on said extension to permit ready access to the control valves.

4. A crane as in claim 1 wherein said means for raising and lowering the boom assembly consists of a hydraulic cylinder having its lower end pivotally connected to the pillar and having its upper end pivotally connected to the boom assembly and wherein said means for rotating the pillar about its vertical axis consists of a hydraulic motor, and gearing means connecting the hydraulic motor to the pivot shaft.

5. A cnane as in claim 1 wherein said boom assembly is extensible and retractable, and wherein said boom assembly in a retracted position is adapted to be moved into an out-of-the-way position at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle together with means for locking said boom assembly in said out-of-the-way position.

6. In a crane for mounting on a motorized vehicle of the type having a pair of longitudinal frame members and a cab mounted on the forward portion of the frame members, a base adapted to be mounted on the fname members immediately behind the cab and extending transversely of the frame members, a pillar rotatably mounted on said base for rotational movement about a vertical axis, a boom assembly, means for pivotally mounting one end of said boom assembly to permit raising and lowering of the boom assembly about a horizontal axis, said boom assembly being movable between extended and retracted positions, means for raising and lowering the boom assembly, means for rotating the pillar about a verticfl axis, the boom assembly in a retracted position being adapted to be moved into a stowed position in which it extends at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and lies in a position adjacent the rear of the cab of the vehicle, the outer end of the boom assembly being within the outer side margins of the vehicle, and means for 'snubbing the boom assembly of the crane on the vehicle in a stowed position to prevent bouncing of the boom assembly during travel of the vehicle.

7. A crane as in claim 6 wherein the boom assembly comprises a first cylindrical section, a plurality of additional cylindrical sections mounted for telescoping movement Within the first cylindrical section, a collar mounted on the interior of the outer end of the first section, first, second and third collars mounted in each of the additional sections, the first collars being mounted on the exteriors of the inner ends of the additional sections, the second collar being mounted on the exteriors intermediate the ends of the additional sections and the third collar being mounted on the interiors of the outer ends of the additional sections, the collars being sized so that the intermediate collar of each of the sections engages the third collar of the section in which it is telescopingly mounted to prevent each of the additional sections from being extended beyond a predetermined position, and means for holding said additional sections in their extended and retracted positions.

8. A crane as in claim 7 wherein said means for holding the additional sections in extended and retracted positions comprises a first section formed with two pairs of spaced aligned holes on its outer end, additional sections having a pair of aligned holes immediately behind the second collar and two pairs of spaced aligned holes on the outer end thereof, and removable pins inserted in the holes for retaining the sections in fully extended or fully retracted positions with respect to each other.

9. In a crane for mounting on a motorized vehicle of the type having a pair of longitudinal frame members and a cab mounted on the forward portion of the frame members, a base adapted to be mounted on the frame members immediately behind the cab and extending transversely of the frame members, a pillar rotatably mounted on said base for rotational movement about a vertical axis, an extensible boom assembly, means for pivotally mounting one end of the boom. assembly to permit raising and lowering of the boom assembly about a horizontal axis, means for raising and lowering the boom assembly, means for rotating the pillar about a vertical axis, the boom assembly comprising a first cylindrical section, a plurality of additional cylindrical sections mounted for telescoping movement within the first cylindrical section, a collar mounted on the interior of the outer end of the first cylindrical section, first, second and third collars mounted on each of the additional sections, the first collar being mounted on the exterior of the inner end of the additional section, the second collar being mounted on the exterior intermediate the ends of each of the additional sections, and the third collar being mounted on the interior of the outer end of each of the additional sections, the collars being sized so that the intermediate collars of each section engage the third collar of the section within which it telescopes to prevent the additional section from being extended beyond a predetermined position, and means for holding the additional sections in extended and retracted positions with respect to the first cylindrical section.

10. A crane as in claim 9 wherein the first section is formed with two pairs of spaced aligned holes on its outer end, the additional sections having a pair of aligned holes immediately behind the second collar and two pairs of spaced aligned holes on the outer end, certain of said holes of said sections being in alignment when the sections are in a fully retracted position and other of the holes being in alignment when the sections are in a fully extended position and removable pins inserted in the aligned holes for retaining the sections in fully extended or fully retracted positions.

11. In a crane for mounting on a motorized vehicle of the type having a pair of longitudinal frame members and a cab mounted on a forward portion of the frame members, a base, said base including a top plate extending over the top portions of the longitudinal frame members, releasable means for securing the top plate to the longitudinal frame members, the top plate being relatively narrow in comparison to its length, a pillar support extending through the top plate and being mounted in said base below said top plate, a pivot shaft rotatably mounted in said pillar support and extending above said top plate, a pillar fixed to said pivot shaft for rotational movement about the vertical axis formed by the pivot shaft, a boom assembly, means for pivotally mounting the boom assembly on the pillar to permit swinging movement of the boom assembly about a horizontal axis, means for rotating said pivot shaft to cause rotation of the pillar and the boom assembly carried thereby about a vertical axis, means for raising and lowering the boom assembly about the horizontal axis, said means for raising and lowering the boom assembly about the horizontal axis including a reservoir mounted below the top plate, a hydraulic pump connected to the reservoir, and control valves connected to the pump and to the means for rotating the pivot shaft and the means for raising and lowering the boom assembly to control the operation thereof.

12. A crane as in claim 11 wherein the reservoir is constructed so that it surrounds the pillar support.

13. A crane as in claim 11 wherein said plate is provided with an extension which extends outside and beyond one of the longitudinal frame members and wherein said control valves are mounted on said extension to provide easy access to the control valves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,528,588 Forslund Nov. 7, 1950 2,774,483 Raymond Dec. 18, 1956 2,787,383 Antos et a1. Apr. 2, 1957 2,796,996 Sundin June 25, 1957 2,796,998 Sundin June 25, 1957 2,828,867 Frisk Apr. 1, 1958 2,961,102 Pitrnan Nov. 22, 1960 

1. IN A CRANE FOR MOUNTING ON A MOTORIZED VEHICLE OF THE TYPE HAVING A PAIR OF LONGITUDINAL FRAME MEMBERS AND A POWER TAKE-OFF, A BASE ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON THE FRAME MEMBERS, THE BASE EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE FRAME MEMBERS, THE BASE BEING PROVIDED WITH TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS TO PROVIDE AN ENCLOSED RESERVOIR DISPOSED GENERALLY BETWEEN THE FRAME MEMBERS, A PILLAR SUPPORT MOUNTED IN SAID BASE AND EXTENDING THROUGH SAID RESERVOIR, A PIVOT SHAFT ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID SUPPORT AND EXTENDING THERETHROUGH, A PILLAR FIXED TO SAID PIVOT SHAFT, A BOOM ASSEMBLY, MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING THE BOOM ASSEMBLY ON THE PILLAR TO PERMIT SWINGING MOVEMENT ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID PIVOT SHAFT TO CAUSE ROTATION OF THE PILLAR AND THE BOOM ASSEMBLY CARRIED THEREBY ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS, AND MEANS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE BOOM ASSEMBLY ABOUT THE HORIZONTAL AXIS, SAID LAST NAMED MEANS FOR ROTATING THE PIVOT SHAFT AND SAID MEANS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE BOOM ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A HYDRAULIC PUMP CONNECTED TO THE POWER TAKE-OFF, MEANS CONNECTING THE PUMP TO THE RESERVIOR IN THE BASE, AND CONTROL VALVES FOR CONTROLLING THE APPLICATION OF FLUID FROM SAID PUMP TO SAID MEANS FOR ROTATING THE PIVOT SHAFT AND TO SAID MEANS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE BOOM ASSEMBLY. 